Client Concerns

What can I expect when I see a Psychologist?

First Contact

When you first call for information one of our psychologists will explain the initial process of assessing what your difficulties and therapeutic needs are. Before you ever come in, you will be told about our fees, how payment is made, where our offices are located and even where the waiting rooms are. Questions about the psychologist’s training and experience can be answered over the phone as well.

First Visit

During your first visit our psychologist will ask you about what your current difficulties are, about your current life style, your physical health and your childhood and life experiences. This process usually takes two sessions, after which the psychologist is in a better position to make recommendations, explain whether she or he sees a role for her/him to help you and, if so, how therapy will proceed and the approximate time frame.

This psychological assessment process allows you to assess the psychologist too, to ask questions and to see if the rapport between the two of you is sufficient for this type of work. At the end of the first session, you will be given a general information hand out that informs you of the philosophy of psychological services, how payment works, what to do if you have an emergency and a bit of a resumé about the psychologist you are seeing. Each psychologist has developed her/his own information handout, so that treatment can proceed after you have been fully informed and are comfortable that you know to what you are making a commitment.

Couples

For couples, the psychological assessment procedure is a bit different. First the couple is seen together to determine the nature of the couple’s problems and the history of the relationship. Then each member of the couple comes in for his/her own individual session as described above. Then the couple is seen together again for a fourth appointment in which the psychologist explains what she/he has determined to be the relationship’s strengths and weaknesses, if the psychologist feels he/she can be of use to the client and if so how he/she will work with the client and the time frame. Family therapy involves most or all members of the family, seen as a group, with some or all members also assessed individually.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is also an effective and economical way to obtain psychotherapy. It’s benefits are outlined at the Group therapy page

Remember: You don’t have to be crazy to see a psychologist! In fact, it is the wise person who consults a psychologist as a resource throughout his or her life. Click here for more information on the why to see a psychologist rather a “counsellor” or “social worker” for mental concerns.